Lionhead rabbits can't eat lettuce?

[mommacassey]

Hello!

We got our first pair of rabbits the other day, and they are white lionhead does. Knowing I'd probably end up in charge of supplying their food (I am, after all, the Momma) I did some research online about what they could eat other than pellets and Timothy hay, which seems to be a treat for just about any kind of animal--I'm thinking of trying a bite, myself!

Website after website mentioned that carrots are famous as a favorite of rabbits, but that they should only be a treat. Iceberg lettuce was also a big no-no, and I quite agree--I can't eat it myself without some tummy trouble. So, I bought some seeds to plant some indoor and cool-weather sources of green leaf lettuce (I got one pack of regular Burpee's green leaf lettuce and one pack of organic) and for the time being, I rinsed off some of the leaf lettuce I had in the fridge, which I think might have been red leaf lettuce (I have some of both in the fridge because they're both awesome!) and they sniffed it with disdain at first but had eaten most of it by the time my husband noticed a few small pieces in their hutch, later.

He said that the breeder he had bought them from told him that these rabbits should NEVER be fed lettuce at all, and he took what little was left of the handful I'd given them out of the hutch. I told him that my understanding was that leaf lettuces were OK, but that iceberg lettuce was what we should avoid.

He did concede a little and say that maybe the people we'd bought them from didn't realize there were different kinds of lettuce. We do live in a small town, and it seems like a lot of people don't know that sort of thing, around here. So I put it to those of you who know about rabbits, and lionheads in particular: is there something about this breed that says they can't have any lettuce, or do we just need to avoid the white stuff?

Our girls are not at all interested in the pellet feed we've given them, so I think they might be spoiled on fresher foods, too. Any suggestions on how to get them to eat a rounded-out diet?

 

[Dutchgirl]

I've never heard anything about Lionheads and lettuce in particular. But I have read many places on the internet that you should never feed your rabbits lettuce. I know it's okay to feed lettuce in small amounts. I think many people just don't know that it is.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Any type of lettuce except iceberg is fine for rabbits. Even iceberg won't kill them, but its very low in nutrients and basically fills them up with water so they eat less pellets.

Herbs like parsley make good treats as well. All of these things should just be given in moderation to prevent diarrhea.

As for not eating the pellets, for now I would stick to just feeding them pellets and hay until they begin eating the pellets. When rabbits are fed treats or extras like veggies, they can fill up too quickly and eat less of the pelleted food. Once they begin eating the pelleted food, then it should be fine to reintroduce the veggies back into the diet.

Do you know what the breeders fed? That may help! Sometimes animals can just be picky when switched to new foods.

 

[Stuffedcritter]

Rise and Shine Rabbitry has great list safe foods and medical uses for herbs. Enjoy your Lions

 

[mommacassey]

Thanks!

By the time I got home from work yesterday, the sisters had eaten some pellets. I let my little one feed them each a handful of hay--she especially loves knowing she can feed and help take care of them.

For now we will keep the treats to a minimum and hopefully they will get used to our routine and everything.

 

[Stuffedcritter]

The girls could pick dandelions, plantain, and chicory for them.